itinerary

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

This page is dedicated to sharing my past travels with my tribe. Excluding Botswana, the United States, and Costa Rica, I have been to 8 countries in Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania), 2 countries in Asia (Maldives, Sri Lanka), 1 in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates), 2 in Europe (North Macedonia, United Kingdom), and 1 in the Americas (Canada). I have also had non-entry transits in Ethiopia, Senegal, Germany, Panama, and Brazil. Excluding my home state of California, I have been to 16 US states (Ohio, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Massachusetts, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and New York). I have also been to Washington, D.C. I have also had non-entry transits in Colorado, and Missouri. To read stories from my past travels, start from the bottom and rise up! Enjoy!

10 December 2022 - 2 January 2023: Botswana-Zimbabwe-Zambia-Namibia Road Trip

This road trip has been on my bucket list since before the pandemic. It was originally planned as the baecation to top all baecations, but when the sunset on that journey I thought this trip would never see the light of day. Until my friend from college AM hit me up for travel recommendations in Southern Africa, and somehow we ended up buying flights and the rest was history. I could write a book about this trip but it was one of the best adventures of my life. From painfully long layovers spent on cold airport floors, to breathtaking nature, and all the potholes in between, it was one for the books. There is always something about being witnessed in your most authentic light that satiates my soul. To show a friend "my village" and introduce them to my people: family and friends! There is so much I could write, but all I will say is I was glad I took this road trip with AM and only AM. In retrospect, the stressful logistics of a 4 country road trip would not have made the best baecation. But it was a perfect friends vacation.

21 - 23 October 2022: San Francisco Bay Area, California

I promise I have really moved from the Bay. I had to return to the Bay to deliver a keynote address at the annual Harambe fundraising dinner for the African Library Project. The event was held in San Francisco and NM was generous enough with her time to accompany me as my plus one. One of the best friends I have in this lifetime. The dinner was lovely but the downside of being the keynote speaker is you have to wait a long time to enjoy the plentiful alcohol. Literacy is something close to my heart and to be able to inspire donors and book drive organizers who make it possible for people from under-resourced communities like myself to have access to quality education was an honor. Also on this trip I got get brunch with my old high school classmate from UWC Costa Rica MW, who is now getting her MBA at my alma mater. I also got to turn up with NM, and my boy RN. Any night that ends with the boys at a trashy American diner is a solid one!

30 September - 3 October 2022: San Francisco Bay Area, California

Long before I knew fate would take me southwards to Los Angeles, I received a super exclusive invite to a music night hosted by one of my all time favorites EK. I could not miss this one. I flew up to the bay and used this as an opportunity to also see my other friends. On one of the days I went on my treasured walk around the Stanford Dish with SG. The second day I got to attend the Continental Dinner hosted by the one and only NM. Of all things I have been involved in, I am glad to know the continental dinners have continued in the Bay after my departure. The main part of the trip, the music show was special. EK is such a great host, with amazingly talented friends, and her event was beyond expectations. Even I got to perform a piece or two--building on the momentum of a recent performance I gave in Inglewood. This was a weekend for the books!

24 - 26 September 2022: Phoenix Area, Arizona

AMM is one of my favorite college friends. After not seeing each other for over 3 years--thanks in part to the pandemic and living on opposite ends of the country for most of that time--I finally took her up on her invitation to visit. I have been blessed with the kinds of friendships where no matter how much time pass and how differently we grow, we are always able to continue as though not a moment had passed. We went on a little field trip around Scottsdale, went walking, and dining. We also got to enjoy a shared passion of ours, which brought us into one another's lives: singing and music. I finally went to church after a long time and got to meet her friends. With the fatigue from my early morning flight and the Arizona heat blazing, I also got to enjoy some of my finest naps. The final evening, we went on a night time hike followed by a karaoke bar. All in all a superb weekend. I will return to Arizona.

4 September 2022: Oakland, California

There are people you meet briefly and know they are destined to be treasured in your life. I met PN at the tail end of both of our times in the Bay Area. Shortly after we met, life took me and her to LA and Houston, respectively. Even with boxes still in my apartment, I could not afford to miss her birthday and farewell party back in the Bay. So I endured the heat wave we were experiencing, made a brief appearance at another social engagement I had committed to attending, and flew out of Burbank towards OAK using my flight points on Southwest. Even with the delay on my outbound leg, I still made it there on time. It was a great evening, where I also got to reconnect with a number of my Bay Area favorites, including NM. We had some drinks, met a few of her friends, and kicked it for a while before my flight out of SFO to LAX on United--also using my frequent flyer points. I was in and out in a matter of hours because I wanted to stay gone from the Bay.

2-4 July 2022: Carmel & Santa Cruz, California

If I had known at the end of this trip a beautiful journey would end, I would have savored it more. I would have made sure each song on the road trip was sung at the top of my lungs, each stroll along the coast line taken slowly, and every glance into my then lady's face lingering just a tad bit longer. Taking it all in. If I had known our journey would end at the end of this trip, I would not have wished to change anything. Someone wise once told me that people are not meant to be possessed, they are meant to be experienced. Although imperfect, our journey was the best adventure yet. Even this trip exemplified the things that made it so. From the salt water float to the fine dining, the beautiful walks in Carmel to playing pickle ball with the senior citizens of Santa Cruz. I will miss experiencing this one human. As we each make our separate ways through life, may we both find the desires of our hearts. May we experience and be experienced in all of our fullness. Adieu dear friend!

20-24 April 2022: Maui, Hawaii

After a busy start of the year at work, this was a welcome break. As soon as we touched down, we went searching for food. From that first freshly made juice and the best Hawaiian BBQ from a food truck, we had a great culinary experience. We had pancakes with macadamia nuts, tasty Portuguese sausage, loads of sea food including―to my surprise―the best grilled white fish I have ever had, and a buffet with loads of meat options. The best flavor to hit my tongue was the Dole whip―I guess I love pineapple. I enjoyed early morning strolls on the beach, some playtime in the water, time in nature, and a luau. My favorite activities were snorkeling around the Molokini crater and the drive from Lahaina to Hana. As an earth sign―the stubborn bull Taurus―you can imagine how out of my comfort zone being in the deep ocean is. But with the encouragement and support of my woman, I was able to see the hidden beauty of the marine life by the coral reef. On the Hana drive, I most enjoyed the drive back on the back road that a local had cautioned us against. Parts of the road were unpaved but the scenery was gorgeous. As always, it was not long enough. It felt good to go to the end of the world―after all we did stop in the Garden of Eden.

18-20 March 2022: New York, New York

Fresh off the jet when I landed, I showered and made breakfast before my boy and I hit the city. We met his boy and our homegirl for an eventful day. Our first excursion was finding a coffee shop or something to grab a light bite. Who knew finding food could be so difficult? In the end we settled for tasty food from a Middle Eastern food truck. Away from the corrective eye of the madam, I feasted on wings of course! We went up the Empire State building for some panoramic views of the big apple. Then we rode around on those costly bicycles to Times Square via the Rock, blasting southern African tunes as we went. Times Square was so magical both during the day and when we returned later in the night. We took the ferry to go see the Statue of Liberty and take a stroll around Staten Island. Our main meal of the evening was at the delightful Eataly--the wine was as lovely as the food. I struggled to stay awake on the subway back home, despite being in the city that never sleeps. Sunday was chiller. We went to Korean church, where they delicious food. Then we went sight seeing where I saw inspiring houses around Jamaica Estates in Queens. The icing on the cake was briefly meeting up with an old friend from my village right before flying back to San Francisco with a full heart.

04-06 March 2022: Salt Lake City, Utah

After nearly missing my flight, I made it to Salt Lake City in the dead of night. Two of my college friends had waited to receive me at the airbnb we had rented for the weekend--a warm welcome in a freezing place. Not being much of skiier, I stuck to the bunny slopes for most of the Saturday. I fell quite a number of times but I kept trying over and over again. After all, I am in the phase of my life where I am challenging myself to try more things that are outside of my comfort zone. I only stopped after a nasty fall that injured my spine. The drive back from the mountains was treacherous as hail, thunder, and lightning enveloped us. That night it snowed in the city and so we were able to build a snow man the following morning before going sledding at a nearby park. Sledding was my thing. In between all of these, we dined, we caught up, and had a lit time. When my flight took off on Sunday evening, I was glad to have gone for this reunion trip. It is good to see everyone growing into their adult selves.

19 February 2022: Napa,California

I am reminded of the sweetness of life when three of my favorite things come together: community, wine, and a road trip. We left San Francisco in the late morning on this ambitious one day trip to the wine country. I had rented a Zipcar and was driving our group: my friend NM, her sister, and their friend. Being the long weekend, there was quite some traffic on the way there and back--but there were still some spots where the brother was able to cruise over 80mph. The first winery we visited was Trinitas. Drinking wine at noon without a care in the world is what I hope paradise will be like. For my flight, I had an okay Sauvignon blanc, a rich Mysteriama (a blend made from Zinfandel, Shiraz, and similar grapes), and two refreshing dessert wines. While waiting for the alcohol to dissipate before driving us to the next spot, we all went for a stroll in the vineyard. I could see why people might find vineyard weddings charming. The next wine tasting was at a gallery in downtown but we settled for just a bottle of champagne. We had just had dinner and I did not want to go hard before the drive back to San Francisco at night. In all, I was grateful to have crashed this girls birthday trip. May I have more road trips in my life. I returned with a bottle of the Mysteriama to enjoy later.

17-22 December 2021: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada via Seattle, Washington

Delayed Covid-19 test results and canceled flights tried to take the fun out of this trip, but there was no expense to be spared to ensure we ended the year in style. We flew to Seattle and then took a bus into Canada. This was first international trip. We had a cozy and cute Airbnb that I was conflicted between staying in and being outdoors enjoying the city. The weather was on our - at least my - side, with the sun being out most of the time and the cold waiting until after we left. We ate out, walked around, went ice skating, and chilled indoors. We had a movie date and a dinner date. The coolest place in my opinion was happy hour at the Revolving Restaurant at the top of Vancouver. In Seattle we checked out the sea food market and endured the public transit system with our luggage to find some soul food.

14-27 November 2021: Gaborone / Kanye / Lorwana - Gathwane / Lokgwabe / Ghanzi, Botswana

After being trapped in the US for over a year and a half due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions and embassy closures, I was finally able to visit family and friends in Botswana. No matter where in the world I live, at least once a year, my feet must trample the dirt on my compound, my lungs must breathe the air, and my skin must tan under the "African" sun. What a joy to the soul to reunite with loved after so long!! Being apart from loved ones is one of the sacrifices of this life I have chosen. The highlight of the trip was a "surprise" graduation party my family, friends, and educators threw for me. I am loved and it feels so good. I have not always had an easy life and so each time I experience love it makes my life all the more meaningful. I also got to drive to Lokgwabe and Ghanzi to be in community with my sister's in-laws, who are like my own family. I had interesting realizations about the concept of home while visiting the final resting places of loved ones who are now departed. I am at peace with the path I have chosen in life.

15-17 October 2021: Reno, Nevada

For our first trip by air together, we hopped over to Reno. It is true what they say, (air) travel with your significant will reveal new dimensions of one to the other. This was a surprise destination trip and I would have liked for her to find out the destination when we landed. Missing our flight did not help, but we still made it to Reno that night and I can undoubtedly say I like her a lot still. I chose Reno because I thought it was a less popular Las Vegas and therefore chiller - I knew I was wrong when the line to check into our hotel took close to an hour for us to get helped. Reno was a lovely time. We ate out, splurged at the casino all of $45 combined, diversified some day party, and got some massages. We also managed to squeeze in a dinner date in there. Going on dates while on vacation is a lot of fun. The universe has been too kind to me.

2 - 3 October 2021: Sacramento, California

One of my priorities in life is to enjoy it to the max and have as much fun as I can because what then is the point of all this toil? When we learned of this music concert we knew we were going! Our squad comprised of myself, DT, ZM, and DM. Our base of operations was a swell AirBnB in the suburbs of Sacramento. The first day of the music festival was chaotic. The lines for food were extremely long and we could not have the food we wanted because they ran out - imagine waiting in line for over an hour and a half, missing the concert, only for the food to finish when you are close to the front. Don't get me started on day light robbery that was their $5 water! Then to end the first night there was a stampede during Wizkid's set in which a few people, including people we were with, got injured. The second day was a much better experience. In part because we started the day with some soul food and then managed to find our way to the VIP section with our GA passes. The performances were fire!!! My favorite was Sho Madjozi - and yes I accept that I am biased. This was one of the best weekends of 2021!

18-20 September 2021: Boston, Massachusetts / Providence, Rhode Island

Summer 2021 promised a return to some semblance of normal. Having missed seeing many of my friends for the better part of the pandemic, I was on an east bound flight as soon as I was sure the pandemic had subsided. I went to visit my friends in Boston: primarily PS and CB. I was sad WS and I could not find a mutually convenient time to meet and catch up. Time with PS and the busy CB is always priceless. We had brunch with some old friends from UWC Costa Rica CAS and SS. Can you believe we are at that age where people are getting married? I attended a litty time in Providence with PS and some of her friends. We played some house games before turning up at a local club. I also got to make some madombi, supu ya ditapole, and chicken for a friends dinner at PS' place. It was lovely to meet some of the important people in the lives of my friends. I had a lot of fun on this trip, but also had some important realizations about my struggles with concepts of home and belonging.

30 April - 2 May 2021: Marin County, California

For this baecation, we went to Marin County. We stayed in San Rafael at an Airbnb with breathtaking views. The first night we went to downtown San Rafael for dinner at Sol Food and encountered a street party. I live for unscripted moments like that, even though the entire trip was planned to the last detail in a shared note. The street party allowed us to see more places for dinner the following night. The next morning we hiked up Mount Tam and then had brunch in Mill Valley. For dinner that evening we had some appetizers and drinks at Los Moles before having the main course at Caribbean Spices. Los Moles was spot on and Caribbean Spices left something to be desired. At least we had the restaurant to ourselves so I could pretend like I hired the whole place just for my love and I. We finished the trip with a visit to the Marin Farmer's Market the next morning and an impromptu picnic by a nice lake. It was perfect.

13-15 November 2020: Napa Valley, California

The one thing better than travel is travel with loved ones. Although not our first baecation, it was our first planned one. The one prior had been spontaneous and shorter in duration. We left for Napa around sunset and it was a fun drive. We jammed to music and she put her foot on the gas. I witnessed through our experience how much fun a road trip is. I resolved that I was going to get my driving license before my next birthday. We were staying at a delightful hotel. On the first night, we had Dominos for dinner. Then the next morning we went to Black Bear Diner for brunch. We were surprised to see people opting to dine indoors but were glad the outdoors was free for us to enjoy. It was clear we were not in Kansas anymore. We spent part of the morning sight seeing around Napa before our wine tasting in Santa Rosa in the late afternoon. I have always known that I was made for the finer things in life. We wrapped our lovely day with dinner at the Italian restaurant Pasta Prego. The next morning, I had my first kayaking ever and successfully managed to not drown. So we celebrated with more music on the road trip back home. It was a lovely outing.

28 October - 1 November 2020: Detroit, Michigan

On my first trip since the pandemic forced us into lockdown, I flew to Detroit via Chicago. There is not a single thing that could have prevented me from attending JC's wedding ceremony. She is one of my favorite humans in the whole wide world. As always, Detroit was too cold for my liking but the warmth of my Gambian fam's hospitality was sufficient. I was able to continue working remotely on my visit, get a badly needed haircut from a barber's house, and eat plenty of great food. Gambian food is dope. I was honored to help set up the tent, which brought nostalgia at preparing for weddings back home. As I reclaim my masculinity, I realize there is a lot of joy from doing these activities that require physical strength that are often reserved for men back home. Especially when the women call you into the house to take a break and eat. Yep! The wedding itself was amazing. Folks were dressed up, the food was delicious, although the cold was unbearable. We also could not dance much since we started later than planned. But we made up for it with a games night the day after. My life is richer to have been a part of this celebration.

13-16 March 2020: Los Angeles, California

Before you judge me for traveling during the then height of the coronavirus scare - and barely 2 weeks after returning from an overseas trip - you have to know that I had already postponed this trip before. I like to be a man of my word, especially where my loved ones are concerned. It was a delight to visit my brothers, 9 months after our college graduation. It ended being just EK and I because JR had to work on the coronavirus response for the congresswoman. What a full weekend that saw us happy hour in Malibu and shake these bones in Inglewood. We spent time in Hollywood, Calabasas, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA. We dined in Little Ethiopia and got extorted of $40 in Crenshaw at a sketchy looking Reggae joint. One could have sworn we were chasing that 'rona! But how could we not cover so much ground, when the 'rona scare had cleared traffic for us. Even the spots we checked out were just as I like them: uncrowded. Grateful to the hospitality of EK (and his roommate) for a great weekend. If I die from the 'rona from this weekend, it would have been worth it.

28 February - 2 March 2020: Arusha, Tanzania - UWC Africa Regional Meeting

I am crazy! I volunteered to go and represent the National Committee of Botswana at a weekend meeting in Arusha, Tanzania in the middle of school. I had to take two days traveling to and then 2 coming back. All this when there is a deadly virus out there. The first two days I was a bit under the weather. I am unsure if it was from flying with United and Ethiopian Airlines instead of Emirates or if it was from traveling at a time when diseases are spreading. But I bounced back and was fine in no time. I got to meet new friends and reconnect with old acquaintances. There was too much free wine I had to suspend my Lent. I walked away from the meeting feeling empowered and inspired for all the ways that we can inject life into our National Committee to ensure we select a diverse pool of qualified candidates. It is an exciting new era. I also got to see Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. As an ATR practitioner, I was amazed to see the work of the Creator. It was an amazing trip. I lived a million lifetimes in one on this one weekend.

23 - 26 November 2019: Detroit, Michigan

Michigan! I am grateful to my friend BC for the generosity of her invitation and the warmth of her hospitality. My first visit to Michigan was as restful as I needed, and less cold than I expected. I was introduced to many amazing members of the Gambian community in Detroit. I now have enough data points to proclaim that Gambians are very warm people. The highlight of the trip was attending an open mic night where I got to share some of my work with the people. My accent was liked by the women. I guess I should move to a place with a lot of black women, and perform more. I enjoyed eating Gambian (or Gambian inspired) food, playing games against competitive opponents, and conversations that ranged from African languages to Mathematics. I also was introduced to La Casa De Papel, and my life has never been the same since. Thankful for a restful time.

10-12 October 2019: Glorieta, New Mexico - UWC USA CEC Retreat

My second time at the retreat was a lot more fun. Perhaps because a group of us the young mentors bonded and hung out. There were 3 friends from UWC USA and 3 UWC Costa Rica folks who overlapped. So it was not too hard. It was also great to reconnect with AC. He picked me up from the airport and we went to an Indian restaurant in an attempt to relive our Sri Lankan days. It was good food, so good we walked out forgetting to pay. The guy had to chase us to the parking lot. It was also a delight to see the students I mentored in the first year, some of whom were shy, now leading the retreat. It is little things like this that inspire me to continue giving back to the UWC movement. This is because we are investing in the development of potential in exceptional youth who shall contribute significantly towards making our world a better place. I count myself blessed for the privilege to be involved in this program.

31 August - 2 September: Monterrey Area, California

One of the things I loved about OA when we were friends was her adventurous spirit. It was her idea that we should spend the Labor Day weekend in the Monterrey Area. It was a lit road trip. We jammed to everything from Sho Madjozi to City Girls. It is a beautiful world out there. On the first day, we went on a drive along the 17 mile scenic drive along the coast. At least once we had managed to retrace our steps after getting lost in between the really pricey homes in that area. I am going to buy one of them one day. Even the following day as we explored one of the national parks in the area, we were impressed. We also reserved time to tan on the beach. Having friends as pretty as OA is fun because everywhere we went people always made the assumption that we were a couple, and told me how lucky I was to have such a gorgeous woman by my side. Our Airbnb was in garlic-smelling Gilroy, where I successfully managed to spill red wine on white bedding. I suppose I enjoy bringing excitement to dull situations. In what used to be our usual tradition, we went to a club to shake the old bones. For some reason I had no closed-toe shoes and almost got turned away, but it all worked out...

22-25 August 2019: Lake Tahoe, California - Reversing the Arrow Conference

When my mentor and friend TW invited me to an academic conference on entrepreneurship, I could not imagine what to expect. My previous experiences with academic conferences were limited to conferences in which I had something to present - and therefore something to contribute. In this one I was going to observe and to assist with the technology since it was a laid back conference in a location that is not exactly a conference venue. I had previously been to Lake Tahoe but in the winter and with a bunch of college students. This time, I drove there with a respected professor from UC Berkeley who was generous to give me a ride on her Tesla. It was, in fact, my first long-distance Tesla journey. It was a weekend full of learning, and full of fun. In the future when I run my own company, our conferences are going to be in fun venues. I made some friends, and my favorite conversation from the conference was with CM on Mental Health Issues in the Black Community as we walked back from a boat ride on the lake. We were well fed on this trip. I am grateful to TW for all the ways that he enriches my life.

19-21 August 2019: Boston, Massachusetts

My next stop was Boston, where I was to see NS, CB, and WS. The more people I know, the smaller the world gets. Somehow NS and CB had become friends independent of me, and WS was dating CB. I got to meet a lot of people on this trip through both set of friends. In fact on my first day I ended up getting drinks in the afternoon with a woman I had just met because all my 3 friends were busy with one thing or another. Overall, I had pleasant experiences with all the people I met. The only exceptions were NS's friends on the last day, who accused me of being rude by 1) Hurrying everyone on our tour of MIT, and 2) By asking questions about them without volunteering information about myself. I hurried myself - and by extension everyone - because I had a flight to catch that I had no desire to miss. I am naturally a curious person, so when I meet new people I ask them questions because I want to know things about them. If they want to know things about me, they have to ask me questions. My website is the only place I volunteer unsolicited information about myself. I love talking about myself, they just gotta ask. All in all, it was a great trip full of food and various traditions with my friends: fresh hair cuts with CB, conversing with WS in our different mother tongues, and going on an adventure with NS. I also got to grab ice cream with my UWC co-year KM.

17-19 August 2019: Minneapolis, Minnesota

This life we have chosen means we do not always get to meet all the people who matter to the people who matter to us. So when my best friend told me that her parents were coming to the US to visit her and her sister, I could not pass the opportunity to fly to Minnesota and meet them. It was a quick 2 day visit, involving a red-eye flight from SFO to MSP on Friday night and then flying on to Boston early on Monday morning. We went on our customary walk in nature, and having recently bought a camera I used the opportunity to photograph both nature and this human who is one of the sources of joy in my life. I am a traditional man, meaning I love rituals in all my relationships. The rituals change from relationship to relationship, but the ability to share something with another human is priceless. Spending time with her family felt so natural, almost as though I have always known them my whole life. I am grateful for their generosity in welcoming me into their home and family. I was especially well fed on that trip because her mother could not stand the sight of my plate empty. Because she is an excellent cook, I was happy. I also got to meet my friend's special friend at the time. A wholesome trip!

9-11 August 2019: Los Angeles, California

Summer is a time to travel and enjoy one's youth. I joined my new friends JS and HA on a trip to LA. JS was smart and flew there. HA and I were looking for more adventure, so we took the Greyhound down to and up from LA. Let us just say that I have become spoilt over the past few years. As my economic situation was changing as I entered graduate school and my MasterCard Foundation Scholarship from undergrad was ending, I was planning to bus between Gaborone and Johannesburg on future trips to home. But no, this bus ride demonstrated to me that I have become too bougie to be on the bus for that long. I suppose I will have to redistribute my limited financial resources to ensure I can afford to fly between those cities. We rented a boat AirBnb near Venice beach. Talk about living the bougie life! It was fun trip - even including the accidental homelessness two thirds of us experienced on the first night due to a silenced phone ringer. I can now say I have spent a night on a beach. Besides enjoying the beach, we went to a farmer's market, ate out, and walked around parts of the city. I should do more vacation trips!

31 July - 4 August 2019: Kigali, Rwanda - MasterCard Scholars Summit 2019

My third and final MCF Scholars Summit was not as magical as the other two times. Perhaps because the venue was one we had been at before. It was supposed to be in Nairobi, Kenya but was postponed last minute due to security concerns. Following some incidents at our last meeting in Toronto, there were a lot more restrictions imposed on us regarding leaving the hotel. Although we ended up disregarding them. More importantly, on this visit, I made sure not to sleep when my peers went clubbing. It was a great time. I got to reconnect with SK from Malawi, who I used to debate alongside in our days of our first youth in Botswana. I also befriended MM from Botswana. It was a delight to reconnect with some friends from the Summit in 2016 in Ghana, others from the Summit in Rwanda in 2018, and make new friendships. Meetings such as these always inspire me and restores my optimism for a thriving African future.

28-31 July 2019: Gathwane/Gaborone, Botswana

This has to be the shortest visit home on record. I grabbed dinner with my friend VW in Dubai on my way home as usual. We finally went to a Nandos. She is always taking me to fancy restaurants. My family had made me a special dinner to congratulate me on recently graduating from Stanford University with BS Degree. Sometimes I forget how loved I am. I am loved. My twin KRO had also taken me to lunch with her then partner. I got to collect my deed to my piece of land on this trip. I have begun life as an adult now. Next will be to put a structure on that land, get a wife, and fill that house with babies. In any case, I also got to hang out with my usual squad: BJL, LBK, KFM, and KKN. I also got to spoil my old friend GEN in honor of her 25th birthday on the 28th. For a short trip, I achieved a lot and saw a lot of people.

25-26 May 2019: Orange County, California - Dorm Field Trip to Disneyland

After hearing how terrible the bus trip down to LA was, a lot of our residents dropped out. This meant it was suddenly more economical to fly there and sleep overnight in a hotel than to bus. We flew there but I had to fly back the same day because I had promised some friends I would join them in the evening for one of Stanford's parties of the year. So I forfeited my return flight with the group and bought myself a ticket back. Sometimes I am crazy, but my word is my bond. Especially in friendship. I had a better experience in Disney on this trip than the previous one. I should keep drama out of my life. It makes a difference who you go with. It is not that the first time the people were not good, but just that there were suboptimal dynamics.

23 - 31 March 2019: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Waverly, Iowa

ICC was kind enough to extend me an invitation to spend my Spring Break visiting her back in Iowa. I needed a break in the middle of nowhere and Waverly fit the bill. But before then I visited LUR in Minneapolis. It is always fun hanging out with LUR and our little sister who is not so little LR. One of our shared love languages is food. Iowa was as chill as I had hoped for it to be. In addition to hanging out with ICC, I spent considerable time with my cousin. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that KC from Costa Rica was also living here. It was a lovely trip. I got to meet a bunch of Africans from UWC. I love meeting Africans in the US, especially from underrepresented African countries.

30 January - 3 February 2019: Toronto, Canada - MCF Scholars Council Midterm Review

As the East Coast and Mid-West braced themselves for a polar vortex, I flew to Toronto for the MCF Scholars Council meeting. It was nearly a suicide mission. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends from Rwanda. JC could not make it and that was sad. But EOA was there and all was well in the universe. We had a great time, and even went clubbing one of the nights. Even as the cold rained down on the city, nothing could stop us. We were young, wild, and free! This was when Tyga's Taste and Lil Wayne's Uproar were still new. Son, trust me when I tell you I have lived the days of my youth to their fullest. These knees ache today because back in my day they used to get down.

5-7 January 2019: New York City, New York - GRE Exam

Being me, I chose to take my GRE exam in New York just because I could. It was cold. So I paid $75 to fly out in the morning instead of at night the day after my exam. I remember eating a lot of Chinese takeout while I studied. I did not particularly like the hotel I stayed in. But it was a cheap one. One day is one day!

13 December - 4 January, 2019: Gaborone/Kanye/Lorwana/Lokgwabe, Botswana

The highlight of this trip home was going to Lokgwabe, where my nephew convinced his grandfather that they should slaughter a cow for me. One of the greatest joys of my life is being an uncle. For one of my introverted nephews to lobby so fiercely on my behalf warms my heart. I was fortunate enough to go with my brother-in-law and his brothers to the farm to give livestock water. He took me on a tour of the land on horseback. I am going to keep horses on my farm, where I shall also establish my permanent residence. My twin KRO took me out motorbike riding on one of the days I was in the days. I also attended a picnic in Kanye with LBK and PM, where I got to meet numerous people from my village. I wish I was not as well known as I am. Sometimes I want to go to events in Kanye, without people bringing up the fact that I am Tumisang Ramarea. It was also during this break that I made the decision to leave mainstream social media. I was tired of being a local celebrity. Other highlights include Joburg and Lion's Park with BJL, and hanging out with LBK and KFM.

7-10 December 2018: Waverly, Iowa

I flew to Iowa to celebrate the graduation of MM, who at the time was a very important part of my life. I used my layover in Phoenix to get brunch with EOA, who was generous enough to make time for me. The graduation ceremony was short and simple. I am usually uncomfortable with graduation ceremonies held in religious spaces. But she is Christian and it was her event, so I did not mind. I befriended ICC. I also got to spend time with my cousin MMM. I reconnected with my UWC roommate SKJ, who took me around Waverly. MM, her friend K, and I also drove around in the night and got stopped by the police. So I can finally say I have finally survived driving while black in white America. Overall, an informative trip. I am grateful to ICC for allowing me to bear witness to her story, to MM for inviting me for her special day, to SKJ for showing me around, and to my cousin for looking out for me as I made classic questionable women choices.

2 - 4 November 2018: Montezuma, New Mexico - UWC USA CEC Retreat

I participated in the CEC Retreat for first year UWC USA students as an adult mentor. I was recommended by AC. The funny thing is AC had found out about UWC from me. So it was a completed cycle for him to refer me to a place I referred him to. I am grateful to my student group for their generosity in inviting me to be a part of their journey, for sharing their stories with me, and for allowing me to see private moments of intense emotion. I also got to check-in SR, one of our student from the Botswana National Committee. I am grateful to AC for his time in showing me around the UWC USA campus. It was amazing. I cannot thank N and her family enough for hosting me overnight in Santa Fe before my early morning flight from Albuquerque. I was reminded of the importance to invest in education. I renewed my commitment to education as my social responsibility cause.

28 September - 1 October 2018: Santa Cruz, California - Stanford MCF Scholars Retreat

I keep wish Stanford was by beach. But this is not the case. So the next best thing is to go to the beach as often as possible. The MCF Group at Stanford chose this weekend to have the retreat. It was lovely, but I was sad to be missing a Beyonce concert I had been planning for months for my dorm, where I was an RA. But I could not miss the MCF retreat as the MCF Representative. What a time life it is to be a leader of multiple things.

13 August 2018: Nairobi, Kenya

My final stop was in Nairobi to see my UWC co-year SM. We hung out at a mall catching up about this and that. I had seen her a few months before, but in our world, every chance you get you use to see your loved ones. I was pleasantly surprised to also run into MM at the mall. MM and I lived in the same dorm during my second year at Stanford. What a small world! Someone later reshaped my perspective by saying it is a small world at the top. While I am not at the top yet, and I am headed there, I can agree.

8-12 August 2018: Kigali, Rwanda - MasterCard Scholars Baobab Summit

The MCF Scholars Summit is always a lit time. I made a lot of friends. I had my Southern Africa squad, but also hung out almost as often with EOA and RA. I also met someone who would later become my lover and soon thereafter my former lover. We live fam, grateful for the opportunity to learn more about myself and what I want! I am grateful to SPK, for generously inviting me to join her for an intensely personal moment at a local Catholic Church. The most insightful idea I have carried from this conference onwards, is one that seeks to promote the combination of indigenous knowledge with modern scientific knowledge in the innovative solution of problems we face in our civilization. Through my Scholars Council Committee Assignment, I got to meet JC, with whom we kicked it off at a dinner. We bonded over our shared love for food and adult stupidity. Many of the friendships from this trip have continued for long after.

6-8 August 2018: Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda

Emirates flew me from D.C. to Entebbe and as always I had an amazing time. I was going to see my UWC firstie GBK, who had generously invited me to visit him in Uganda. He took me on a tour of Kampala on a boda-boda. I enjoyed exploring parts of Makerere University and meeting with some of his friends. It is always to reconnect with my UWC family, especially on the African continent. I am grateful for the generosity of GBK and his family for having me. Upon my departure from Uganda, I met EOA, who was also going to the same conference as I in Rwanda. She would go on to become one of my best friends in the world. I am grateful our paths crossed in Uganda.

3-5 August 2018: Washington, DC - Read Madrid US Tour sponsored by Emirates Skywards

From Miami, we took a chartered 767 jet to DC. I could get used to the private jet life. It was amazing, one of the best experiences of my life. It almost came close to the first time I rode on a donkey cart to my mother's farm in 2006. While experiences like this often make me wish I had a wife, I am often blessed with the presence of friends who make it just as priceless. My friend LS made me dinner, took me on a tour of the city, and came with me to see the Real Madrid game against Juventus. I am not one to watch sports, but if I am to do it, then from a private suite is not a bad idea. Traveling with Real Madrid was fun because we had a police escort, which blazed us through traffic. I am not saying I am going to be the president of my country, but if I become one, I look forward to never being stuck in traffic. My stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in DC was short lived as I had business to attend in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. I am grateful to LS for the generosity of her time invested in my cultural education. Isn't friendship a beautiful blessing?

1-3 August 2018: Miami, Florida - Real Madrid US Tour sponsored by Emirates Skywards

I am one of the luckiest people I know. I submitted a bid of 52,500 Emirates Skywards miles, only 2,500 miles more than the minimum set for the bid, to tour the US with Emirates-sponsored Real Madrid F.C. The price was to tour with the team in Miami, DC, and New York as they played against different teams. I could only make it to two of the three cities, as I had to travel to Africa for various reasons. My friends know I am not a fan of football, and were therefore understandably jealous that I was living their dream. For me the appeal was not in traveling with the team, but having an expenses-paid vacation. In Miami, we stayed at the East Hotel. It was fancy. I enjoyed $80 dollar steaks and signed off $20 tips. I had a suite which had two balconies. I had never felt as single as I did during my time in Miami. I wished for a wife to share moments like that with. I still had fun. Although my busy schedule had not allowed me to make it to the game, I had gone training with the team on one of the days. I got to hang out with Keylor Navas, who I knew and respected for being the #1 goalkeeper for mi otra pais Costa Rica.

15-23 June 2018: Gathwane/Lorwana/Kanye/Gaborone, Botswana

By now, it had become the norm that my trips to Botswana are short. The will to visit is there, what is often lacking is the time. So if a week is all I have, then I will go. As with all my trips to this side of the world, I grabbed dinner with VW during my customary stopover in Dubai. Then upon arrival in Botswana, I almost died in a car crash when our car collided onto a car we were overtaking that decided to make a sharp turn onto us. The only damage to the car was on my side and we joked that perhaps my witches were trying to eliminate me. But as I always say, I am not the child of a small girl and a small boy. I was born to a man and a woman. I attended a family event at my grandma's house, where I was almost married off to a distant cousin by my mother's relatives. But I was saved by my nephews, who wanted to draw in my notebook with my colored pens. On this trip, I ran into my childhood romantic interest and friend BM and her long term boyfriend. They bought me lunch, which is a rare since people seem to think that I farm cash. I also got to spend time with my very pregnant bestie GM, soon-to-be-married friend GPO, and recently-married BJL. While I gave an interview at Gabz FM, where CM was celebrating my achievements, I was beginning to feel left behind as my friends and peers were starting families, while I pursued school. Or was it the questions from my relatives asking when I am getting married beginning to enter my conscious mind?

18-21 June 2018: Nairobi, Kenya

One cannot emphasize enough just how privileged I am to attend a well-resourced institution like Stanford. For one of my classes, my team and I worked with a Kenyan coffee startup. They invited us to go see their operations if we could. Since I was already going to be on the African continent for a few days, I thought it was only fair that I took them up on their offer to go see their operations. When I talk of Stanford's resources, I am talking about these connections. As for the trip, I paid for it myself because I was genuinely curious about the business and also to get a feel for Nairobi. The owner of our partner business had generously offered to host me in his house to reduce costs. Seeing their operations gave me better insights into the business, and affirmed the conclusions we had drawn in our recommendations for how they can continue to provide more value to their various stakeholders. It was also satisfying to present our recommendations in person, and to discuss with them. I also got to visit the iHub, where all the technology entrepreneurship is happening. I was convinced that my plans to help support entrepreneurship on the continent were promising. Lastly, I got to reunite with my UWC co-years from Kenya SM and LM.

4-7 May 2018: Vancouver/Squamish, BC, Canada

I try to visit at least one new place every year. When EG told me of his upcoming graduation in Squamish, I knew I had to go. In 2017 I had missed a trip to Canada because my passport came back from the Embassy after my flight had departed. Thanks to the generous hospitality of KM, I was able to spend some time in Vancouver before and after the graduation. It was great to reunite with EG, who was my roommate in UWC Costa Rica. I was delighted to run into MV, who was also my second year from Brazil. The ceremony itself was standard. Then there was some celebration in the afternoon. And a party in the night. Partying with EG and MV one more time was fun. Back in Vancouver, KM took me around the city. It was fun and beautiful. In fact, the drive to Squamish was also breathtaking. British Columbia is beautiful. I also got to meet up with my UWC co-year, KP from Colombia. I consider myself fortunate to have this privilege to see the people with whom I have shared such transformative experiences every so often.

26-30 March 2018: San Jose, Costa Rica

I decided I did not want to let 2 years pass by before I make another visit back to the land of Pura Vida. Thanks to the generosity of my beloved Pastor PD and Ms DD, who always open their warm home to me whenever I go back to visit, I was able to make this trip happen. On my way there, I was able to meet up with SS, WS's brother, for dinner during my layover in Phoenix. There is something satisfying about being back in a place where you can feel you are loved, where people see you. I was impressed some of the grounds staff at the church still remembered me, and were genuinely pleased to see me again. I was even more impressed that I had enough Spanish to catch up with them about all the new developments in my life. I got to spend a significant amount of time with homeboy KR. It was lovely to reunite and catch up with DV, and CA in Avenida Escazu. But the highlight was spending time with BFP, her sister, and KR in Multiplaza. For sure one of the best moments of my entire life. There was some drama in my former, UWCCR, not letting me in because of some new visiting protocol. But when they were eventually able to let me in, I got to see NT, RS, and even meet some new UWCCR fam. Thank you Pastor P and Ms D for another lovely visit. On my way back, I grabbed lunch in Phoenix with SM.

3-7 January 2018: Dallas, Texas

My next destination was Dallas, to visit my girl NS for a few days. There is never a dull moment with her. We cooked food, brunched out, and overall had a swell time. When she was at work, I explored her neighborhood. Living in California, I had expected Dallas to be a very hostile place to me as a black person. It being the south and all. But to my delighted surprise, it was quite the opposite. Although it was winter, it was sunny and relatively warm on the days I was there. It was comparable to a California winter. I could see myself living there. Who knows what the future holds? NS is an excellent host. She took me on a tour of the city, a mini-golf facility, and an indoor ice-skating rink. Let us say I treasure my life more than the young kids who just zoomed past me, almost toppling me over. NS also managed to take me to a Victoria's Secret store and some make-up shop. Somehow the women in my life always manage to drag me to make-up shop where I have to pretend to understand the difference between 10 shades of pink eye shadow that all look the same to me. It is a never a dull moment with her, especially not in Dallas.

2-3 January 2018: New York, New York

This was more of an extended layover. I had booked some hostel to spend the night and day I was in this city. I knew as soon as I had checked in that hostels are not my thing. Which is ironic considering I grew up poor and having to share a bed with my baby brother in a very large one roomed house that we all shared. Yet I could not stand sharing a hostel with a couple of others. In my defense, sharing that one room with my family does not compare to the hostel experience because I knew I could trust my family. I could not sleep well, even though I had just gotten off an 18 hour flight from Dubai via Milan, because at the back of my mind I wondered what if the other people stole my person items. Imagine someone stealing my passport. Who would want to steal a Botswana passport? I knew then that I was a different level of high maintenance. While I was raised poor, I realized then that I could never survive as a poor person. So I have to be at the bare minimum, upper middle class. I was so distraught by the experience that I changed my onward flight to an earlier time. It ended up being a great decision because the only seat that was available on that flight was a first class seat on the Alaska Airlines flight to Dallas. Did I say I enjoyed being a Gold Member of the Emirates Skywards program?

20 December - 1 January 2018: Gaborone/Kanye/Lokgwabe/Lobatse, Botswana - Africa Tour with NT

Our final stop was Botswana! I was excited to finally have someone visit me in my home country. But it seems the Botswana Immigration people are determined to deny all my guests entry into the country. The Immigration office who handled our case wanted to deny NT entry, claiming she needed to have applied for a visa beforehand. When it was clearly stated on their website that citizens of Costa Rica do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. She revealed through her side comments that she thought NT was my girlfriend and was planning to stay in Botswana indefinitely. It was hilarious. I showed NT around the capital city and the highlight was taking her to see my birthplace: Kanye. I showed her my mother's house, where I grew up. I felt seen in a different light. I am grateful to DR for letting us use his car and to KMM for driving us around. After NT went onward to her UWC program in Eswatini, I spent the rest of the break seeing loved ones. KMM invited me to a post-Christmas lunch at his uncle's house, then VP of the Republic Dr. Masisi. I also had a restful visit to Lokgwabe, where one of my sisters is married. I was blessed to spend time with DM, COK, TKG, JL, CM, SB, and ER. Once more, PM and I had a lit Christmas period!

17-20 December 2017: Livingstone, Zambia - Africa Tour with NT

Our next stop was Zambia. We were going to see Victoria Falls. We were going to do it in style: live inside a luxury tent! When NT suggested the idea, it sounded too good to be true. But I am not one to mansplain things. I shared my skepticism but committed to the idea. They say disagree and commit! There was nothing luxurious about that tent. I could not decide if I wanted to be amused or dissatisfied. But it was a grounding experience - literally. But we did do the trip in style. We started off with a sunset cruise, with dinner. We saw a couple of hippos and crocodiles as we cruised along the Zambezi. Early the next morning, we set out to see the main attraction. Seeing those falls, my faith in a God was restored. I felt blessed beyond measure to have the privilege to stand on such sacred ground. NT had not gotten her Zimbabwe visa, so we could not cross over to take in the view from the other side. She insisted I go, but what would have been the point. I go to places to be with people, not to see the place. Later we chartered a helicopter just to see the falls from above. I am still lost for words. We spent some time in Livingstone, buying crafts, eating food, and the like.

15-17 December 2017: Johannesburg, South Africa - Africa Tour with NT

NT is probably the inspiration behind my desire to travel as much of the world as I possibly can. So when she asked me if I was down to do a tour of Southern Africa, I was down. Like me, she plans her travel around things she needs to do. She was in the region for some program at UWC Waterford. Our first stop was the big and bad Johannesburg. It was a fun trip because I realized as soon as we had started to plan the trip that we are different travelers. I go to places to enjoy being in a space with the people I am traveling with or the people I am visiting. But the space itself means very little to me. NT on the other hand, wants to experience as much of the place as possible. We bought tickets for one of those red buses that give you a tour of a city. I have never been curious enough about Joburg to do that. It is a beautiful city, especially with the illusion of safety from the red bus. At the end, I took her to the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. Call me bougie, but this is where I like to hangout when I am in Jozi. I was pleased when NT had her first bite of pap at a Nandos. It was going to be a great trip.

18-24 November 2017: Minneapolis/St. Paul/Northfield, Minnesota

After a non-awkward time in Cape Town, I decided to go see LUR in Minnesota. In preparation for this trip I bought some really nice winter boots - that I still use today - and borrowed some winter gear from CP. I am a bad borrower, I still use the scarf I got from CP, which means I did not return everything. We solidified our tradition to spend time in the outdoors. She gave me a tour of St. Paul, and took me down to the Mississippi River. There is something magical about visiting a place you have once read about. To dip a finger in its water - freezing as it might be. I also got to catch up with AC over brunch since St. Paul is his hometown. He took me to a vintage-looking diner, which he said was the place to go to. Thereafter, he took me to a center that was making laudable strides in eradicating homelessness in the twin cities. Our time together concluded with a tour of the University of Minnesota campus and dinner at a Somali restaurant. I also got to crash a UWC Dinner at Macalester college, including photobombing their official photo. I also went over over to St. Olaf to see my other bestie JR and RG. I also had the fortunate of meeting LUR's sister, who has since become the baby sister I never had. I am told somebody was crushing over me from St. Olaf. At least I still got it!

10-11 November 2017: Orange County, California

One of the best parts about living in a well endowed dorm like Crothers is the cool events we participated in. My best friend at the time, TL, and I joined the trip last minute. We hung out with two of my residents SD and SL. I wondered how jealous my nephews would feel that I was in Disneyland. Maybe one day when I am balling, I will flying all 18 of them out here to come experience the so called 'Happiest Place on Earth'. It was a long exhausting day. The events of this trip would prove to be significant many months later. It is probably the only trip I regret taking. That aside, the day was mostly fun. Although waiting in queues is not something that thrills me. Also the food options inside the park were not that great. Although my companions were pleased. For some reason I never could understand, people love the giant and dry turkey leg that is sold there. Overall a great trip, but doing the roundtrip by bus on consecutive nights was not as great.

27-29 October 2017: Madison, Wisconsin

I love to travel and I love to support my friends. Whenever these two objectives align, it is heaven for me. When NT told me she was acting in a play, I knew I had to go see her. She had worked really hard to develop her craft and to see her getting such a prominent role in the play was an achievement. She was good!!! Flying directly to Madison would have cost an arm and a leg, so I flew to Chicago instead and then took a bus to Madison. I got to see rural America as the bus drove through Illinois and Wisconsin. I did not know that NT was such an excellent cook. She made me food and also baked cookies for me that I took back with me on my return journey. My bus back to Chicago was delayed and I almost missed my flight. I am grateful to the TSA agents who expedited my security screening. The door closed as soon as I was inside the aircraft. Who knows what would have become of me if I had missed that United flight?

25 August - 2 September 2017: Gaborone/Palapye/Kanye, Botswana

My visits to Botswana are always logistical nightmares. Usually they are very short because somehow I always need to be somewhere else on another continent right after. This trip was characterized by two things: BJL's wedding and my fake birthday party. To get to the wedding, I traveled with my best friend KRO and her friend. It was lit. The wedding was nice, and I got to reconnect with most of my teachers from Mookami. As it turned out, I was overdressed for the wedding. Who knew that wearing a suit to a wedding could end up counting as overdressing. My fake birthday party was an attempt to bring together my Bots friends from all walks of life, and hang out with all of them in one place. With such short trips, it is impossible to see everyone. The party ended up being a night of embarrassing about me by my friends, most of whom were women. One even threatened the rest of them that she was experienced in martial arts. I guess I am still a catch. There was another new niece that I had to meet. I also got to be a celebrity on two occasions: first by giving a radio interview on RB2 with SM and then by co-addressing an assembly of students at Mookami with my bestie KRO.

20-24 August 2017: Cape Town, South Africa

From Sri Lanka, Emirates flew me to Cape Town to see my best friend LUR. It was the first time we met since UWC, and that had ended on a weird note. Yet this trip was nothing short of amazing. One thing I have learned about myself is I do not travel to these places for the things that are, but rather for the people who are there. Sure we visited some museums, checked out the historic District 6, and caught a sunset from the colorful Malay neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. But the joy was doing these things with such a special friend of mine. We also hired a sketchy looking and racist driver to take us to certain points of interest along the coast. We took photos with penguins, ostriches, and seals. We missed out on seeing the whales, but got to throw coins into the ocean. Hopefully, the ocean will send me the wife I asked for. We even went wine tasting, although I was the only one who drank. LUR did not drink because she is Muslim and the driver because he was driving. The only sadness to the trip was the government of Botswana had denied her a visa to come with me to Botswana. Nonetheless, Cape Town was the rebirth of a treasured friendship.

30 June - 3 July 2017: Malé, Maldives

Two weeks into my time in Sri Lanka and I went on vacation to nearby Maldives. I love Emirates. I used my miles to book a Business Class roundtrip journey to Male from Colombo. Then took advantage of my UWC connections to find free accommodation (thanks MM, M, and M's family for the hospitality). I also took advantage of the UWC network to find people to hang out with and activities to do. Thank you LD, for introducing me to your student, the other MM. MM introduced me to her friends and they all took me under their wing. The internet had informed me that the local islands are very conservative - and they are - but these cool people made sure the weekend was a fun one for me. It helped that I was in a risk-taking mood. Those who know me will attest that I am am more inclined towards risk aversion. But I kissed a woman on a public beach, and rode a speed boat in choppy waters without a life vest even though I cannot swim. When I die, this experience will be one of the many behind my satisfied smile that says, "I have lived a great life!"

14 June - 19 August 2017: Moratuwa/Colombo, Sri Lanka - Cardinal Course Fellowship at Sarvodaya sponsored by Stanford University

And I did return to Sri Lanka. This time alone. The Sarvodaya model of development had captured my curiosity, and as an aspiring President of Botswana at the time, I wanted to learn as much as I could about community-led development. With a Cardinal Quarter Fellowship from my university, I went to work with Sarvodaya on whatever they needed me to do. They needed help with some of their database systems. I am ashamed to admit that I was not as effective as I would have loved to be, because Sarvodaya gave me more than I can ever thank them. During my time there I made a few friendships that have carried on to the present day. AC was my brother, and has since become a part of my UWC family. In fact, it is through him that I have become involved with UWC USA's CEC program. I also built a friendship with VW, who I have had dinner with every single time I have connected through Dubai. Other noteworthy friendships from this period are with CM, MS, HJ, and AW. By the end of the experience, I thought I would never eat rice again. But here I am. Being the only black person around, it was not uncommon for people to photograph me as I tried to have my dinner. What an experience!

25 - 31 March 2017: Boston/Mansfield, Massachusetts

I decided to go to Boston for my spring break to see some friends from UWC. Funny enough, I ran into my first year UWC RA, DF, at the San Francisco Airport. He was connecting from Japan on his way to Denver. He had been visiting his best friend from UWC. It was great to reunite with my two friends CB and WS, who were now dating. I could not believe that I had missed the signs of their would-be romance when I used to hang out with them. I have many friends, but I think I have unique traditions I share with each of my friends. CB and I went to get our cool-African-boys' haircuts. WS and I chatted in our respective languages because while we do not speak one another's language, we are able to understand. They rolled out the red carpet for me, and my heart is full of gratitude as I look back on this trip. I also got to reconnect with SS and KS, both of whom I had met in Macedonia in 2015 at a Youth Networking Event. SS was generous to show me around MIT and we caught up. TM, fellow debater from Botswana, gave me a tour of Harvard. I had dinner with CG, an old crush of mine, who revealed to me that if I had made a move back in Costa Rica, she would have said yes. An important reminder that we miss 100% of all the shots we do not take.

15-18 February 2017: Phoenix, Arizona - MasterCard Scholars Council Midterm Review

About 8 months earlier in Accra, Ghana, I had met these inspirational individuals. I was especially thrilled to reunite with ND, with whom we had stayed in touch throughout the 8 months. I love these conferences, where I interact with some of Africa's finest minds and discuss ideas that can contribute towards the continent's upward mobility. It was my first time in Arizona. There was nothing much to write home about, perhaps because our entire time was scheduled. But we had fun. We went bowling - where I danced my heart out because I was terrible at bowling. I was no better at dancing, but at least it was fun. The high point of the trip was making it to the top of South Mountain on our hiking excursion. Looking over the desert on the other side reminded me of the Westerns I used to read as a young boy in Kanye. Here I was, living the American dream. I also succeeded at embarrassing ND as J and I sang for her in a mall. Overall a great time!

20 December - 5 January 2017: Gaborone/Kanye, Botswana

This was the first of my Christmas Holidays spent with PM. We were committed to living the days of youth, partying in Gabs, crashing parties in Kanye, and taking control of other people's parties in Lotlhakane. It was lit. We ate a lot of meat (there is no beef like Botswana beef) and drank plenty of grape juice. At home they had slaughtered a goat for the holidays. I had also enjoyed bonding with my nephews, especially those who were recently born. Those who know me, know that the role of uncle is one I take very seriously. During this trip I was able to hang out with my best friends AL, LBK, and KRO. I also got to see numerous people from my childhood when I was in Kanye. On my way back, I ran into TKD at the airport. It was a pleasant surprise, and a special occasion to sit next to her on our Air Botswana flight from Gaborone to Johannesburg. It was her first flight ever!

15-19 December 2016: Johannesburg, South Africa

Since I was 10, I have always been in pursuit of romantic love. This was my first baecation. Overall, it was a lovely trip. We stayed at Malandela Guesthouse. The owners were hospitable and resourceful. My companion was more adventurous and as such we walked around the streets of the neighborhood we stayed in. I was not too enthused by the idea because the memory of being robbed in Johannesburg at knife-point in public during the day was still fresh in my mind. So we hung out mostly in the bougie Sandton. Not to stereotype Batswana women, but having studied in the US, the only way I can marry a Motswana woman and meet her expectations is if I am balling. Baecations in foreign countries ain't cheap. So I should either ball or branch out.

8-28 August 2016: Sri Lanka (multi-city) - BOSP Overseas Seminar on Community Health and Service Learning

My maiden trip to Sri Lanka was a blessed one. First I got upgraded to Emirates Business Class on both the inbound and outbound flights. I was nervous in the beginning, but my classmates and teaching team turned out to be awesome. The country was a marvel. We visited numerous Sri Lankan Heritage Sites such as Sigiriya Lion Rock, Dambulla temple, Anuradhapura, and Kandy. The highlight was the village stay in Pahalagama, Anuradhapura District. I enjoyed the manual labor when we got to participate in a Shramadana. Overall an excellent trip. I knew at the end I had to go back someday.

16-21 June 2016: Accra, Ghana - MasterCard Scholars Baobab Summit

One of the perks of the MasterCard Foundation is the opportunity to attend the Scholars Baobab Summit. This would be the first of 4 that I would attend. It was my first time visiting an African country that was not in Southern Africa. We stayed at Labadi Beach Hotel, which I am told is one of the best places to stay in. I loved every moment of it. Every scholar had a roommate but somehow I was fortunate to have the room all to myself. It was a fun time to be alive. I was inspired by all the scholars and the speakers. Being at Stanford one can get sucked into the Silicon Valley bubble, so it was lovely to be reminded of the possibility and potential that is abundant in Africa. As always, I had fun including jumping into the swimming pool fully clothed with special company. To this day I am amazed that rule-following me jumped into the swimming pool with clothes, which was prohibited, but also at night when I could not even swim.

20-23 May 2016: San Jose, Costa Rica - UWCCR 2016 Graduation

When my friends at UWC Costa Rica invited me to their graduation ceremony in May, I was not sure I would be able to attend since my school term did not end until mid June. But I had the means and if I flew out Friday night and returned Monday morning, I could pull it off. This would be the first of many mid-quarter trips I would take during the 4 years I would spend at Stanford. I took a red eye flight to San Jose and flew back on Monday. All my other co-years who had returned for the graduation were done with school for the year. All of them except myself and Juliette. So while everyone else went clubbing in the night time, Juliette and I had work to do. It also meant we had to hold people's hair when they returned from wherever. It was fun, weird as this sounds. UWC is truly a magical place. I was proud to watch my firsties graduate. It felt like just yesterday when I had welcomed them and showed them around campus. But they were graduating and with their departure, I was becoming more removed from the campus. When I flew back to San Francisco, I was at peace and my heart was full of joy.

16-26 March 2016: Gaborone/Kanye, Botswana

Spring break is only 9 days long, but I decided I was going to fly home. The reason was my aunt passed away in February but I was unable to return home for the funeral given my hectic schedule at Stanford. I would learn to grief from a distance much later, but I could not wait to reach home. I remember going to see my cousins as soon as I had arrived. But everyone had started to make peace with the grief, only I was stuck in the early stages. I remember being disappointed that everyone else was not sad enough. Resolved to not be sad for the entire trip, I made sure to see my friends and spend time with my family. I was paranoid that my mother was going to die soon since she had been unwell for a while. So I tried to spend as much time as I could with her, although I usually got sad at her condition and went anywhere but home. Fortunately 9 days flew by and I had to return to the US quickly.

9-28 December 2015: San Jose, Costa Rica

Stanford was the big leagues and the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship changed my financial situation. Suddenly I could decide to go anywhere I wanted and why not Costa Rica? On my first trip, I returned to Costa Rica. I missed some of my friends from UWC and it was cheaper than trying to fly home for Christmas. I spent my entire time hanging out with my boy RMG. During the first half we lived in Santa Ana with PPD and MDD. Those will always be my parents in Costa Rica. The second half we spent at the equally warm home of SP in Escazu. We were living it large. In all of the fun we had, I will never forget how I almost got engaged to be married to a woman I was talking to because my Spanish was quite limited. So when her father had asked me what my intentions for her daughter were, I had used Spanish words that suggested marriage. Fortunately, the misunderstanding was cleared and life proceeded without much drama. It felt good to be back in Costa Rica.

25 May - 12 September 2015: Gaborone/Kanye, Botswana

This is the summer between UWC Costa Rica and Stanford. I spent most of it working hard to sell chicken in order to repay the money I had borrowed to travel to Macedonia. It was funny because I had thought that moving abroad meant I did not have to do 'poverty activities' like sell things to make ends meet. But it was time for me to learn a thing or two about living within one's means. To finance the Macedonia trip, I had borrowed the flight money from a classmate of mine from Costa Rica and been gifted some pocket money by a friend. I was expecting some money but that did not work out. So I had to go to the village and sell chicken. At first I was ashamed of it, but then I started enjoying it. This was also a summer that I spent on picnics with some of my old friends. There was a brief romance, which really was a continuation of an old flame. As I said, I really did live my youth.

12-22 June 2015: Tetovo/Ohrid/Skopje, Macedonia - First ever Networking 101: International Networking Academy

My trip tp Macedonia was the first time I visited a European country. When my friend Kris invited a few of us to a conference in Macedonia, I had jumped at the opportunity. This is in spite of not having the means to pay for the trip. Yet somehow I made it work. I remember being surprised by how chill their border agents were. They stamped my passport without even checking to see if I was who I said I was. I remember the mountains standing out and the green vegetation. It was an inspiring experience interacting with this group of brilliant students in the city of Tetovo. I remember the food at the hotel we stayed at being amazingly mediocre, but the food in Ohrid and Skopje was better. I was blessed to enjoy time with my friends from UWC Costa Rica and make new ones. How can I ever forget conversations under the star-lit sky at night or the seductive powers of rakija. When my time on this planet is up, one thing would be true: I have lived my youth!

27 January - 3 February 2015: Boston, Massachusetts - Harvard Model United Nations Conference

This was my first trip into the United States. As fate would have it, a brutal winter storm was battering through the East coast and so getting to Boston was quite the adventure. We were supposed to fly from San Jose, Costa Rica to Houston, Texas and then onto Boston. But when we reached Houston all flights to the East Coast were canceled because of bad weather, so we were placed on a flight to Cleveland, Ohio. It was colder than I imagined it would be. But we found a soup place and I had the best soup of my life. Our flight to Boston from Cleveland was canceled and so were flew on to New York-LaGuardia from where we were finally able to make it to Boston. The MUN conference was amazing. There were all these brilliant students from all over. I got to perform and compete alongside the most promising minds of our generation. I enjoyed exploring the city of Boston and capturing it on my beloved camera. I was sad to forget that camera on a taxi to the airport. But the memories are forever imprinted on my heart. Grateful to the Blue Valley School of Costa Rica for sponsoring this trip.

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